Papers by Joseph Ponterotto
Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 2021
This study aimed to unveil Sylvia Plath’s (1932–1963) meaning-making narratives, within her life’... more This study aimed to unveil Sylvia Plath’s (1932–1963) meaning-making narratives, within her life’s puzzle of parts, by utilising the Internal Family System (IFS) model of Schwartz. Plath was purposively selected as subject since she has been proclaimed as one of the most renowned and influential voices in 20th century Anglo-American culture and literature. Although she only published one collection of poems, “The Collosus”, and one novel, “The Bell Jar”, in her lifetime, the plethora of short stories, poems, journal entries and letters which were published after her suicide secured her status as a powerful and creative voice. Methodological strategies utilised to sort and integrate the wealth of publically-available socio-historical data on Plath included the analysis of psychobiographical indicators of salience according to the model of Irving Alexander and the data analysis matrix procedure of Robert Yin. Findings suggest that each stage of Plath’s life was characterised by “parts...
European Journal of Personality, Nov 1, 2016
The present study examined altruistic behaviour using broad personality traits (the Big Five) and... more The present study examined altruistic behaviour using broad personality traits (the Big Five) and the narrow personality trait of cultural adjustment (multicultural personality) while controlling for social justice attitudes and other demographic variables. Using an analogue version of a modified dictator game, 153 participants were required to divide a variable amount of money between themselves and a hypothetical recipient who was treated unfairly in a prior dictator game (based on results from a separate sample). We varied the race (Black and White) and gender (male and female) of the fictional recipient to present the individual as either advantaged or disadvantaged in society. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions with the recipient presented as (i) a White man, (ii) a White woman, or (iii) a Black man. A separate sample of 71 participants rated recipients as treated unfairly and as representing a marginalized group. Results showed that subscales of the Multicultural Personality Inventory predicted giving behaviour above and beyond the variance accounted for by broad personality traits and attitudes towards social justice. The discussion focuses on implications for research in social justice based on cultural adaptation and personality. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology
Qualitative Psychology, 2015
The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of racial microaggressions in the workpl... more The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of racial microaggressions in the workplace and coping strategies of Black women managers in corporate American positions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 Black women who had worked as senior-level corporate professionals, acknowledged that subtle racism exists in contemporary U.S. society, and had personal experiences of racism in the workplace. A phenomenological methodology was used to uncover the lived experiences of these women. Results yielded racial microaggression themes including environmental manifestations, stereotypes about Black women, assumed universality of the Black experience, invisibility and exclusion. Coping strategies included religion and spirituality, armoring, shifting, support networks, sponsorship and mentorship, and self-care. Directions for future research, clinical and theoretical implications of experiences of racial microaggressions, and coping strategies of professional Black women in corporate America are discussed.
Developing Cultural Humility: Embracing Race, Privilege and Power
Beyond WEIRD: Psychobiography in Times of Transcultural and Transdisciplinary Perspectives
Journal of Counseling & Development, 2016
This phenomenological study explored the gender and career identity development of 13 urban minor... more This phenomenological study explored the gender and career identity development of 13 urban minority young men, with an emphasis on the potential impact of father absence and single-mother parenting. Six themes were identified: (a) emotional intelligence and maternal appreciation and internalization, (b) consequent assumption of a parentified role, (c) nontraditional perception of masculinity, (d) experienced paternal void, (e) resilience, and (f) the limitations and aspirations in career pathways. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Counselor Education and Supervision, 2018
The authors hypothesized that multicultural personality and ethnic identity would significantly p... more The authors hypothesized that multicultural personality and ethnic identity would significantly predict variance in multicultural counseling competencies in counselor trainees, beyond the variance predicted by demographics, multicultural training, openness, and cognitive racial attitudes. Results showed multicultural personality predicted multicultural counseling competency, but ethnic identity did not. Results and implications are discussed.
Qualitative Psychology, 2020
Preventing Prejudice: A Guide for Counselors, Educators, and Parents
Preventing Prejudice: A Guide for Counselors, Educators, and Parents
Preventing Prejudice: A Guide for Counselors, Educators, and Parents
Preventing Prejudice: A Guide for Counselors, Educators, and Parents
New Trends in Psychobiography, 2019
North American psychobiographer, Joseph G. Ponterotto, is interviewed by fellow psychobiographer ... more North American psychobiographer, Joseph G. Ponterotto, is interviewed by fellow psychobiographer Claude-Helene Mayer. Ponterotto reflects on the history and current status of psychobiograpohy as a research enterprise. The value of psychobiography to the broader psychology field is highlighted, and some pioneering scholars in psychobiography are acknowledged.
This article, written by the coeditors of The Counseling Psychologist’s (TCP) International Forum... more This article, written by the coeditors of The Counseling Psychologist’s (TCP) International Forum section, reviews the status of counseling psychology from an international perspective and presents a rational and modest proposal for promoting counseling psychology’s commitment to global perspectives. The brief history of TCP’s International Forum section is reviewed and specific recommendations for internationalizing counseling psychology are put forth. These recommendations are organized along (a) methods of psychological science, (b) profession-based initiatives, (c) Division 17 (counseling psychology) initiatives, and (d) program-specific activities. The marked challenges to internationalizing counseling psychology are also addressed.
Journal for Social Action in Counseling & Psychology, 2013
This article highlights the potential value of mixed methods designs for social justice research ... more This article highlights the potential value of mixed methods designs for social justice research in counseling, psychology, and related human services professions. Though representing only a small minority of research designs used in these fields, mixed methods approaches are gaining in popularity. A rationale for the use of mixed methods research in the human services generally, and multicultural/social justice counseling specifically, is presented. Various mixed methods designs are reviewed, examples of published mixed methods multicultural research are highlighted, and a flow diagram to determine whether or not to incorporate a mixed method design for a particular study is put forth. Limitations of mixed methods designs are also acknowledged.
The Qualitative Report, 2015
The origins, cross-disciplinary evolution, and definition of “thick description” are reviewed. De... more The origins, cross-disciplinary evolution, and definition of “thick description” are reviewed. Despite its frequent use in the qualitative literature, the concept of “thick description” is often confusing to researchers at all levels. The roots of this confusion are explored and examples of “thick description” are provided. The article closes with guidelines for presenting “thick description” in written reports.
American Psychologist, 2018
In this reply to Young and Collins (2018), the author responds to 3 primary concerns raised about... more In this reply to Young and Collins (2018), the author responds to 3 primary concerns raised about integrating psychobiography into mainstream psychology: appropriate historical context and historiographic research methods, avoiding deterministic conclusions and the role of psychobiography in theory testing, and ethical concerns related to lack of informed consent of the identified subject. The author appreciates the thoughtful comments of Young and Collins and hopes that discussion and debate about psychobiography will continue in the literature.
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Papers by Joseph Ponterotto